Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,677, William Finch, Va.

SERVICE
Finch William
NUMBER
S. 31.677
CONTENTS

Georgia
12,030
William French - of Ocmulgee in the State of Geo. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Upson of the 1st Regt. - commanded by Col. Christie in the 1st Regt. - time for 1 year -
Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia at the rate of 40 - Dollars - - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of March - 1835 - and South Geo. 1 - Easley - Lexington Geo.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 - 50 Pension, allowance ending 1833 - - 20
$100
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk book C Vol. 6 Page 90
See letter to P. Q. Sept. 25. 1835 do. to same Oct. 15. 1835 - do. to same Nov. 27. 1835 - do. to same Dec. 29. 1835 -
order to pay May 1, 1837.
# Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 16 th April 1838 from 1 st March 1839. to 1 st March 1840. Age notified 5 May April 1841.
Paid Nov. 22, 1842

Claim of Wm Finch Revolutionary Soldier to a Pension.
17592
Wm Finch as a private in Col. Williams Col. Williams Col. Williams Lofpaam-
To Mr. Bailey Lexington Ky May 6 th 96

Georgia Oglethorpe County 3 rd J. S.
On this third day of December eighteen hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the Superior Court of the County of Oglethorpe aforesaid while sitting for ordinary purposes, William Finch aged sixty, who being duly sworn deposes & makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed on the seventh of June of the present year. That he entered the American service in the war with Great Britain for an indefinite period under such officers & paymasters as are herein after stated.
That he was born in Cumberland County Virginia on the 15 th day of July 1762 according to the information he has received from his family. He having no record of his age. He lived in Pulaski County when he was called to service and rather he volunteered the first and was made Captain of a company. He recalls the names of three colonels who were along with him during this time & they were Colonel Lewis & Russell. He marched from Pulaski to the Long Island of Holston in N. Carolina where he remained until the British were collected together. He thinks he left home about the first of July the year he was not exactly recollected but he believes that he was about 15 or 16 years old at the time. He knows that the officers had to ob- tain his father's consent for him to enlist. From Long Island of Holston we marched against the Cherokee nation on the Tennessee river, when we took their stock, burnt their houses & got them so subdued that they agreed to peace in the following spring. We did not remain here longer than three or four weeks. The army marched back to the Holston where most of the men were dis-

Chambers but deponent & others were kept back as a garrison on the frontier, & performed garrison service during the whole time till until the Spring when he was discharged. His discharge has been lost for many years, for he never supposed it would ever be of any service to him. This loss was of much worldly consideration, perhaps more than he is willing to admit even at nine months, than he may state what he knows to be true & no more.
Some three years after he returned again the time under our Colonel Penn & this was taken as a release from liability to a leave a leave for three months, but we were not in service so long a time as three months, by a good deal.
In 1781 he was drafted he thinks about the month of July to perform a term of three months under one Major Reallor, who conducted us to the main army they come many or all the deponent does not know how but his company was delivered up to the command of other officers who were strangers and names are now forgotten. During the last term of three months deponent served at the siege of York from the beginning to the end of the siege & here he obtained a discharge which is also lost. He has been a citizen of this county & state between forty & fifty years. He has no documentary evidence by which he can support his claim nor is there any one living that he knows of that can testify in support of the same. He can affirm with confidence to all his neighbors for his character as an honest man & a man of truth. He hereby relinquishes all claims whatever to a pension or annuity except the present disclosure that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state in the Union.
Sworn to in open court The day & year aforesaid Williams & Smith C.C.O.
William Finch Mark

We W m Lumpkin, probate & John Hendricks, do hereby certify that William Finch who has been sworn to subscription to the foregoing declaration for a pension is a neighbor of ours, that we have been well acquainted with him for a long time, that we believe him to be of the age stated in his declaration that he is reported to have served in the Revolutionary war as a faithful militia soldier, & that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to in open court the day & year aforesaid William Lumpkin C.P.
John Beasley Wm. Lumpkin John Hendricks
And the Court having investigated the foregoing claim according to the requisitions of the 10 th Art. of the Act in such cases provided, do hereby certify their opinion that the claimant is a soldier of the Revolution of the age which he has stated that he has served as declared, and that it appears to the Court that John Hendricks, William Lumpkin & John Hendricks are res respectable men of high moral character, that the last mentioned is a minister of the Gospel, that their statement is entitled to the fullest faith & credit.
John Banks J.P. Edw. Cox J.P. Robert Freeman J.P.
William H. Smith Clerk of the Court of Ordinary of Oglethorpe County, State of Georgia do hereby certify that the above is the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of William Finch's application for a pension. Given under my hand & seal at office this third day of December eighteen hundred & thirty two.
William H. Smith C.P.

February 25, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. F. D. McDowell Monticello, Georgia
WILLIAM FINCH S. 31677 BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 31677, based upon service in the Revolutionary War of William Finch.
William Finch was born July 15, 1762, in Cumberland County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not given.
While residing in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, he volunteered about July 1, 1777 or 1778, served as private in Captain James or Joseph Martin's Virginia company, marched to Long Island of the Holston River in North Carolina, went on an expedition against the Cherokee Indians on the Tennessee River, took their stock, burned their houses and subdued them, then returned to the Holston River where he served as guard on the frontiers and was discharged after having served a tour of nine months. Some time after this tour, he again volunteered and served a short tour as private under Colonel Penn in the Virginia troops. He enlisted about July, 1781, and served three months as private under Major Waller in the Virginia troops and was at the siege of Yorktown.
William Finch was allowed pension on his application executed December 3, 1832, while a resident of Oglethorpe County, Georgia. He died November 22, 1842.
No reference was made in the claim to wife or children.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, and name of person paid, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:- William Finch, Certificate 12030, issued March 18, 1833, rate $40 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, Georgia Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

31677 Rev INVALID.
1925-Mch 12-Heir. to Mrs. L. B. Cury MM 187. 1936 Sep 25-Heir to Mrs. G. D. McDowell (See ltr. in clu. N. 25703 of Mrs. Mellon) M. B. 1939 July 14 Heir to Clifton J. Davis. M. B.
File No. 31,677
William Finch
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 189 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 138
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Pension Office Planters Bank Savannah 14 th April 1837.
J. S. Edwards Esq. Comm d of Pensions Sir
Send me the Pension Voucher of William Finch, whose application is for Eighteen Months pension, for your approval and Authority to pay.
Respectfully, Yr Ob t Serv t
Wm. Smith (Cashier) P. M. Ag. 5

Oct 14
Mr. [unclear]
J. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
12030 Gen.

Planters' Bank, Savannah Oct. 6 th 1835
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr of Pensions,
Sir
I have received your letter of 25 th Ult o . returning William Finch's Voucher, which was sent on in mine of 14 th -
My object in sending on that Voucher, was to ascertain what was to be done in the case of the Pensioner, who had suffer'd a lapse of two years to pass from his last receipt - one of the Blank forms sent on to me has a heading for reports of such Cases - We please to say whether I shall pay it or not, as it has now remained for a considerable time on hand under doubt -
The Balance at my debit under act of 1832 is $1180. 02 on this days settlement
In mis: obed t Servt Gerrit Smith
Washn D.C.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
April 2 nd 1841.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," W m Finch , a Pensioner on the Roll of the Georgia Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars and  Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832 , has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March 1839 to the 1 st March 1840 .
Respectfully yours,
Edward B. Harrison Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Power of Atty From Van Finch to George M. Dudley HHS
Geo M. Dudley Laughter Oglethorpe Co Ga

(Know all men by these presents— That I William Finch a revolutionary soldier of Echols County State of Georgia & a pensioner of the United States do hereby constitute & appoint George Mr. Snelly of the same place my true & lawful attorney for me in my name to receive from the Dept of the United States for paying pensions in Savannah in the State of Georgia my pension from the fourth day of March 1831 to the fourth day of March 1832. and at such other times thereafter as the same may become due according to the act for larger pension of the present year & according to the regulations of the War Department of the United States made for the purpose of carrying said act into effect.
Witness my hand & seal this third day of December 1832. his Seal and delivered William Finch in presence of } Mark H. J. Dawson J.P. }
State of Georgia } ss. Be it known. That on Echols County } ss. the third day of December 1832, before the the undersigned a justice of the Peace in the said County personally appeared William Finch known to me to be the person described in and who acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his act & deed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned. H. J. Dawson J.P. }

State of Georgia 3/8. Be it known, that on the third day of December 1832, before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, personally appeared George M. Seidley the attorney named in the foregoing power of attorney and made oath that the same was not given him by reason of any sale transfer or mortgage of the pension or arrears of pension therein authorized to be received by him.
George M. Seidley
Sworn to & subscribed the day aforesaid last a hand mentioned before me H. T. Barnes or J. P. J.

Nov 23
FREE
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Planters Bank of Ga. Savannah 16th Nov. 1835
J. S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I again enclose Mr. French's Application for H. N. Evans pension corrected as required in your letter of the 23 rd Sept. Be pleased to inform me if I am at liberty to pay the amount due him upon this voucher.
Yours very Respectfully.
Greenleaf P. Fisher

Pension Office Planters Bank Savannah
September 14 1835
Sir
The Enclosed Voucher in the case of William Finch is enclosed for your approval & authority to pay —
yr mo. obedt Servt
James Marshall Cashier & Pens Agt
J. L. Edwards Esqr Commissioner of Pensions

Dec 26
Mr. Frank Geo. Roll
12030
R.R.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Planters Bank of Ga Savannah 17 th Dec. 1835
John Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pension Sir
William Pinck, whose informal application was returned in your letter of the 23 rd ult., has had new papers made out, which are herewith presented for your inspection. Be pleased to state, on their return, if I am at liberty to pay him.
I am very Respectfully Your obed Servt.
Greenleaf Cashner Pens Agt

Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you please send me any war records you have of William French from Charles City Co. of the line of 1812 or the Revolutionary.
Sincerely
Mrs L. B. Cuny 812 Richmond Road Houston Texas

CLIFTON F. DAVIS ATTORNEY AT LAW GIDDENS - LANE BUILDING SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA
July 8, 1939
Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.
Sirs:
On June 3rd 1939 I wrote you requesting information relative to the Pension Papers of WILLIAM FINCH of OGLETHORPE COUNTY, GEORGIA, appearing as a pensioner of the war of the Revolution.
Up to this time no reply has been received and I am writing to inquire whether my request was received and filed or not.
It is my recollection that heretofore I have received replies from such queries, which have been few, in 2 or 3 weeks.
CFDeh
Very truly yours,

CLIFTON F. DAVIS ATTORNEY AT LAW GIDDENS - LANE BUILDING SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA
June 3, 1939
Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
"Georgia Roster of the Revolution" shows WILLIAM FINCH as a pensioner in Oglethorpe County.
Will you kindly let me know if you have his application, certificates or supporting statements, and what photostats of same will cost.
I presume these show where he was born, what family he had and his service. Am hoing he was from Charles City County, or near by, Va., and that he was a brother of my ancestor, Edward Finch, of Newberry County, S.C., and that there will something of value in assisting to find the father of Edward.
Thanking you for your attention in due course, I am,
Very truly yours,
CFDeh

July 14, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MLB Wm Finch S-31677
Mr. Clifton F. Davis Giddens-Lane Building Shreveport, Louisiana
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letters of recent date, in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Philip Allen, a pensioner of Clarke County, Georgia; Thomas Bonner, who served in South Carolina but died in Clarke County, Georgia, in 1804, and of William Finch, a pensioner of Oglethorpe County, Georgia, who served from Virginia and who had a brother, Edward Finch.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a Thomas Bonner, under any spelling of his name. Such claims are the source of Revolutionary War data furnished by the Veterans Administration. It is suggested that information relative to the military service of that soldier might be obtained from The Adjutant General, War Department, this city.
The Revolutionary War records of Phillip Allen and William Finch are furnished you herewith.
It is regretted that your letters could not have been answered at an earlier date.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

February 25, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. F. D. McDowell
Monticello, Georgia
William Finch, S. 31677 William Melton, W. 25703 BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of the following soldiers of Georgia: James Drake, of Telfair County; William Finch, of Oglethorpe County, who was a pensioner; John Finch; Robert Melton, of Stewart County; William Melton, of Walton, of Walton County, who was a pensioner; Colonel John Melton, and Bordit Finch.
There are no claims for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolution of James Drake, John Finch, Robert Melton or Milton, and John Melton, as described by you, or of any Bordit Finch. Such claims are the source of Revolutionary War data furnished by this office.
The records have been found of William Finch and William Melton, of Georgia, and they are furnished herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

mmr H
March 13, 1925
Mrs. L. B. Cury 812 Richmond Road Houston, Tex.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 31677 it appears that William Finch was born July 15, 1762 in Cumberland County, Virginia.
While a resident of Pittsylvania County, Virginia he enlisted in 1777 or 1778 and served nine months as a private in Captain James or Joseph Martin's Virginia Company.
About two years after, he served a short tour under Colonel Penn, in the Virginia Troops.
He enlisted in July 1781 and served three months as a private under Major Waller in the Virginia Troops and was at the Siege of Yorktown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed December 3, 1832 while a resident of Oglethorpe County, Georgia. He died November 22, 1842.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
from AB
Acting Commissioner.

July 14, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Clifton F. Davis Giddens-Lane Building Shreveport, Louisiana
WILLIAM FINCH S. 31677 BA-J/MLB
Dear Sir:
You are furnished herein the record of William Finch as found in pension claim, S. 31677, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
William Finch was born July 15, 1762, in Cumberland County, Virginia; the names of his parents were not given.
While residing in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, he volunteered about July 1, 1777 or 1778, served as private in Captain James or Joseph Martin's Virginia company, marched to Long Island of the Holston River in North Carolina, went on an expedition against the Cherokee Indians on the Tennessee River, took their stock, burned their houses and subdued them, then returned to the Holston River where he served as guard on the frontiers and was discharged after having served a tour of nine months. Some time after this tour, he again volunteered and served a short tour as private under Colonel Penn in the Virginia troops. He enlisted about July, 1781, served three months as private under Major Waller in the Virginia troops and was at the Siege of Yorktown.
William Finch was allowed pension on his application executed December 3, 1832, while a resident of Oglethorpe County, Georgia. He died November 22, 1842.
It is not shown in the claim whether William Finch was ever married.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension and name and address of the person paid, you should write to the

Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
William Finch Certificate #12030 Issued March 18, 1833 Rate, $40 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act June 7, 1832 Georgia Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator